Search Results for: blog iguana care basics

Tank Care For Newts and Salamanders

Salamanders and newts have very porous skin — it makes them very sensitive to changes in environment (just like frogs and other amphibians). If you aren’t careful in your tank care, your pets can become seriously ill or injured. First things first — all tanks need water. Even terrestrial tanks have water trapped in the mossy substrate and/or in shallow pools. Don’t use distilled water to fill your tanks. You can use tap water or rainwater — but either one may need to be treated or left standing to allow chemicals to dissipate. Tap water should be treated with dechlorinating … Continue reading →

Iguana Care: Light, Heat, and More

In the wild, reptiles tend to spend a lot of time basking in the sun. Iguanas (and other reptiles) are cold-blooded or ectothermic, meaning they depend on an outside source of heat to regulate body temperature. Why is light important? Sunlight and/or UV lights allow your iguana’s body to create vitamin D — just like sunlight helps a human body produce vitamin D. Natural sun exposure and a basking light will help ensure good health for your green iguana. Not enough D puts your green iguana at higher risk for certain types of metabolic bone disease. Natural sunlight is great, … Continue reading →

A Look At Iguana Health Issues

Like any pet, your iguana should see a veterinarian at least once a year for a general check-up and any vaccinations he may need. Try to choose a veterinarian that specializes in reptile care so your iguana is seen by an expert. Many health issues that require a vet visit are caused by two things: poor care and poor feeding. If your green iguana isn’t being fed the right foods, he’s going to get sick. If his tank doesn’t provide the right light and heat, he’s going to get sick. Make sure your iguana is well cared for at home … Continue reading →

Green Iguana Feeding Tips

Many problems that could send your iguana to the veterinarian are caused by poor nutrition. Giving your green iguana the right diet is important to keeping him healthy and happy. First and foremost, green iguanas are herbivores. That means they eat ONLY plant material. Don’t try to feed them insects or small animals like mice. Your iguana will get all the protein he needs from plants; the bulk of the diet is plant fiber and is very low in fat. Experts suggest feeding your iguana mainly fresh vegetables, with no more than a quarter of the diet made up of … Continue reading →

Iguana Care Basics

Adding a lizard to the family? Green iguanas are a popular choice — they’re one of the most popular pet lizards out there! But if you’ve only had furry friends, you’re going to need to know a few things about your new scaly pal. Start your reptile education here: Reptile Basics Reptile Basics: Heat and Light Make sure you pick a veterinarian who treats iguanas. If your current vet doesn’t do much work with reptiles, you may want to ask for a referral to someone who does. It’s important to get an initial check-up when you bring your iguana home; … Continue reading →

Reptile Basics

Before you make a decision about adding a reptile to your family, be sure you know whether or not reptiles are allowed where you live! Many areas have laws pertaining to dangerous reptiles, including constricting snakes and venomous snakes. Pick a captive bred reptile whenever possible. Wild reptiles that have been tamed are not as used to human handling as captive bred reptiles are. At the pet store or breeder, be sure you pick out a healthy reptile. Look for a reptile with clear, alert eyes and no visible sores or lesions. Make sure your reptile seems to be generally … Continue reading →

Chinese Water Dragons

Like their name implies, Chinese water dragons love water. Don’t be surprised to see your Chinese water dragon spending a ton of time in the water! These lizards hail from Southeast Asia — Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and China. To mimic these warm climates in your lizard habitat, keep the daytime temperature between 83 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit. You should also provide a basking spot at around 90 degrees Fahrenheit so your Chinese water dragons can thermoregulate. Overnight temperature should be between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the lights and heat on a twelve hour cycle for most of the … Continue reading →

Symptoms of Metabolic Bone Disease in Reptiles

Metabolic bone disease is an unfortunately common disease in reptiles. Though it is most often seen in iguanas, it can arise in any pet reptile. The disease is most often caused by poor care and diet, and can be easily corrected in the early stages. The symptoms of metabolic bone disease can vary depending on the severity of the case and the length of time over which the disease developed. Most of the symptoms are related to bone and muscle effects, as calcium is key for bone formation and muscle function. You may see a reptile with metabolic bone disease … Continue reading →

Savannah Monitor

When it comes to monitor lizards, the Savannah monitor is one of the easiest to keep. Keep in mind, though, that the Savannah monitor may not be the best choice for beginners. Monitors are extremely strong lizards and can be difficult to handle — a beginner might be better off with a different breed. The Savannah monitor is considered a mid-sized monitor. When full grown, a Savannah monitor lizard can reach between three and four feet in length. This means you’ll need a good sized enclosure for your Savannah monitor. The cage should be at least five feet long and … Continue reading →

Green Anole

If you are looking for a beginner lizard, take a good look at the green anole. This brightly colored lizard is easy to feed and care for. The green anole is a member of the iguana family, and shares some common features with the green iguana. And I’m not just talking about color! Green anoles reach approximately eight inches in length when full grown. They are generally a bright green color, but may be darker or brownish depending on mood and surroundings. Females are generally smaller than males, reaching approximately five inches in length when fully grown. Males have a … Continue reading →